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Contact Information:
Toll Free:(800) 665-2689
In the Homer Area:(907) 235-2921
Via Mail or in Person: 345 W. Sterling Hwy., Suite 102B
Homer, Alaska 99603
Fax:(907) 235-4008
Website:
Email:
Greetings from Juneau on this 78th day of the legislative session. The weather is reminding us of spring in Homer and Tina just harvested her first 10-inch cucumber, based on the Homer Garden Club hydroponics workshop last fall.
We had the pleasure of entertaining our second week-long high school intern this week, Jenna Raymond from Homer. Jenna was an enormous help to us in the office. She got through all the work we had for her so quickly that we had a hard time keeping her busy! You can read more about Jenna’s experience in the capitol in “Jenna’s Corner,” later in the newsletter.
The Alaska Youth for Environmental Action held their annual Juneau conference this week. Two young women from the district attended, Thorey Munro from Homer and Kirsten Huntsman from Nanwalek. My staff helped with some of the event training and Tina and I were able to attend a dinner with the students in the evening that included a student produced power point presentation on the effects of global warming in Alaska, and the connection with the increase in the number and costs of summer forest fires.
Jamie Ross from Homer was in town again working on Chignik issues. I was also able to meet with Bob Malone, Tim Bailey, and Mike Murray from Safeway in Homer and Seward.
Personal Legislation
HB 415 – Recreational Land Use Liability
moved out of the Resources Committee without objection this week. It now moves to Judiciary where it will be heard on Wednesday the 29th at 1:00pm. Thanks to everyone from the district who called in to testify on the bill. If you are interested in participating in the Judiciary hearing, please contact Shalon Szymanski in Lesil McGuire’s office at (907)-465-2995.
HB 418 – Mining Taxes
was heard briefly in the Ways and Means Committee last Friday. The bill will be heard again Monday the 27th at 9:00am, where we will be presenting a Committee Substitute for the bill and giving a presentation on the major changes. If you are interested in commenting on the new bill, please contact Ginny Austerman in Representative Weyhrauch’s office at (907)-465-6863.
Jenna’s Corner
This past week has been such an enjoyable and educational experience here at the capitol. I have truly gained a lot from this opportunity. From attending State Affairs meetings to writing memoriams and citations, there was never a dull moment. I was able to learn a lot about the state, both in terms of current events and history, and it’s information that will definitely be useful.
During my time here at the capitol, I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of people, all of whom were very pleasant and good company. As I will be celebrating my 18th birthday this week, I even had the chance to register to vote with the Lieutenant Governor, which is an opportunity not given to many.
I had a wonderful time here in Juneau, where the weather has been gorgeous for a good portion of the week. I would like to thank all of Representative Seaton’s staff, Ian, Katie, and Louie, who all helped me immensely and taught me a lot. I also wish to extend my thanks to both Tina and Representative Paul Seaton, who generously flew me to Juneau and gave me a place to stay in their home. I appreciate everything everyone did for me during my first visit to Juneau, and I definitely am grateful for being given this opportunity.
State Affairs Committee
The committee considered Mr. Randall Eledge’s re-appointment as Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission. Eledge has worked with the Human Rights Commission for a little over a year.
, relating to Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran Allotments, was heard and held. This resolution supports federal legislation that would allow Alaska Natives who were enrolled in military service from 1964 to 1975 (or if deceased, their estate) to apply for title to up to 160 acres of vacant federal land. The committee expressed concern that under the federal legislation land may be granted in the middle of a National Park, Refuge, or National Forest. I am especially concerned that estate trustees would have the fiduciary responsibility to apply for the most valuable land possible – developable land in Denali or Glacier Bay National Parks. The federal bill could completely reverse the long-standing policy of purchasing in-holdings over time, and create over 2800 new 160 acre in-holdings.
moved from committee. The bill prohibits car dealers from adding any fees or surcharges not included in the advertised or negotiated price of a car.
, elimination of public interest litigants, attempts to reduce the liability of the state and municipalities for the payment of attorney fees in public interest litigant cases, was heard and held.
Resources Committee
Confirmation hearings were held for both Board of Game, and Big Game Commercial Services Board appointees. The appointments of Robert Mumford, Richard Burley, and Cliff Judkins were moved from committee to be voted on in a joint session of the legislature.
, amending the Forest Resources and Practice Act to provide for statewide stream buffer standards, was moved from committee along with three other bills. repeals references to the obsolete Board of Storage Tank Assistance within the Department of Environmental Conservation. allows the state to negotiate sales of state lands smaller than 20 acres at fair market value with an adjacent landowner provided the state property is completely enclosed by the adjacent landowner’s property.
instructs the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources to issue a patent for the remaining interest in certain state land to the owner of the agricultural rights to that land.
Health Education and Social Services Committee
Four bills were heard and held this week in HESS. relates to eligibility requirements for medical assistance for individuals under the age of 21. An amendment was passed to ensure that children with parents under the age of 18 would be able to obtain medical assistance. allows minors to donate bone marrow with the consent of both a parent/guardian and doctor. The committee was concerned that there is no language requiring minors themselves to consent to the procedure. The committee is awaiting more information on the risks associated with minors donating bone marrow. encourages the State to seek authority from the Federal Government to allow veterans to use their veteran identification cards as insurance cards in the state of Alaska. requires the foster care system to employ enough social workers to deal with the State’s workload of abuse cases. The committee held the bill until results of an impact study are available.
The committee moved four bills from committee. appropriates funds for construction of the Palmer Senior Citizens Center. We moved this bill after assurance that support would not ‘jump’ the project ahead of any in the construction priority. extends the termination date and duties of the Board of Examiners in Optometry. makes rape and sexual assaults by persons previously diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, an aggravating factor at sentencing. Those in favor of the bill have expressed a need for harsher punishments of rapists with HIV or AIDS. Opponents expressed concerns that the bill may reinforce stigmas affecting other individuals suffering from the diseases. waives undergraduate expenses for room and board for up to five years at the University of Alaska to spouses and dependents of Alaskans that have lost their lives while serving either in the military, as peace officers, ambulance workers, firefighters or first responders.
Ways and Means Committee
This week the committee heard a presentation from Buck Consulting, the new Actuary hired to work with the PERS/TRS numbers. According to their calculations, the unfunded liability has increased by $1.2 billion in the past year, from $5.7 billion to $6.9 billion. They attribute the increase to two factors: 1) In 2004 employers did not contribute the full amount required to stay on the payment schedule. 2) The previous actuary, from Mercer Human Resources, made a couple of errors when calculating the unfunded liability for 2003. It is important to note that the calculation procedure for the State is two years behind in its determination of the unfunded liability and actuarial valuation reports. The $6.9 billion figure is based on the July 1, 2004 data.
Following Bills
All bills can be accessed through the state's Bill Action and Status Inquiry System (BASIS). You can see what committee a bill is in, when it will be heard, how committee members voted, and much more. You can view all bills relating to your specific areas of interest by selecting "Subject Summary" from the menu on the right. Access BASIS through the link below, or by doing a search for "BASIS Alaska".
Live on the Web
Most committee hearings can be seen and heard on Gavel-to-Gavel, which is broadcast on both local access TV and on the Internet. You can also access online archives from their website. .
Contact Us
If you would like to speak to me regarding a specific issue, it is helpful to first get in touch with the member of my staff handling related issues. You can click on their email addresses to send them a note, or just give us a call at the office. Please provide your full name, address and phone number on any correspondence with the office. Your time and effort are much appreciated.
Louie Flora
State Affairs, Resources, Fisheries, HB 328
(907) 465-4963
Ian Laing
Scheduling, Ways and Means, HB 415, HB 418
(907) 465-2689
Katie Shows
Health Education and Social Services, PERS/TRS, Budget, HCR 5, HCR 28, HB 238
(907) 465-2028
Rep. Paul Seaton
House District 35
(800) 665-2689
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